Suspension drilling device and jar



Jan. 14, 1958 J. s. BECK SUSPENSION DRILLING DEVICE AND JAR JUL/U5 .5. BECK Filed Jan. 9, 1957 ATTORNEY SUSPENSION DRHJ ING DEVICE AND JAR Julius S. Beck, Long Beach, Calif,, assignor to J. E. Hill, Fort Worth, Tex.

Application January 9, 1957, Serial No. 633,357

3 Claims. (Cl. 255*.28)

This invention relates to suspension drilling devices for connection in drill strings, and this application is a continuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 611,461, filed September 24, 1956.

Suspension drilling, as described in the referred to copending application, has the advantage of maintaining optimum weight on a drill bit when drilling a well. Generally, this is accomplished by a weighted telescoping tool having a resilient piston type seal therein and passage means through the tool for circulating drilling fluids. When the seal of the tool is subjected to high or varying pressures there is a tendency to distort and restrict the opening through the seal. Also, well temperatures and chemicals used in drilling adversely affect the resiliency of the seal so as to decrease its eflicicncy. For example, heat may either cause the seal to become too hard or too soft to operate efiiciently. Similarly, some chemicals used in drilling and lost circulation materials soften the seal, and when the latter is compressed the opening through the seal is restricted and thereby retards circulation.

The suspension drilling device, described in my copending application, also serves as an effective up and down jar. The present invention, which is directed to an improved seal support, is applicable to jars of this type even though the device is not used as a suspension drilling tool.

An object of the present invention is to enclose the above referred to seal and support the same against inward distortion and, at the same time, protect the seal from the harmful effects of heat in the bore hole and chemicals in circulating fluids.

Another object is to provide an improved support for a resilient piston type seal in a suspension drilling device or jar, and which support provides long uninterrupted circulation of drill fluids before replacing the seal,

A particular object is to provide and maintain full opening through the seal regardless of pressures applied thereto and regardless of the influence of chemical action on the resilient material, and whereby survey instruments, pressure bombs and other devices and materials, such as lost circulation materials and solids may pass therethrough.

A further object is to provide, in a suspension drilling tool or jar, a seal capable of preventing injected fluids, passing downwardly through the device, from directly entering the annular chamber between the lower tubular body and the upper outer surface of the mandrel of a construction such as illustrated and described in the referred to copending application.

In the accompanying drawing of an exemplary form of the invention:

Figure l is a broken elevation of a length of drill string having a rotary bit on the lower end thereof, and shows the present invention installed in the string above the bit.

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional and broken elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a broken perspective view of the mandrel of Patented Jan. 14, 1958 the present device showing one of the longitudinal ribs and its laterally projecting keys forming a part of the lock mechanism Figure .4 is a transverse sectional view of the mandrel taken on line 4*4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a transverse-sectional view of the tubular body taken on line Isl-=5 of Figure 2.-

Figur .6 is a vertical sectional and perspective view of the lower end of the. tu ul r body,v

Figure 7 is an enlar ed vertical sectional view of the cy inder compr ng the pper portion of the device and showing a sealing construction therein for directing drilling fluid throu h the mandrel and preventing the fluid from cutting the referred to locking mechanism.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7, but showing the upper end of the seal actuating spring and means securing the same in the upper end of the cylinder.

ure 9 is .a broken elevation of a modified form of the invention in which the keys on the mandrel are arranged in an opposite direction from those shown in Figure 3.

Figure 10 is a transverse sectional view similar to Figure 5 but showing an arrangement of relief holes in the tubular body for use in conjunction with the mandrel shown in Figure 9,,

A illustrat d in Figure 1, the present suspension device 10 is connected in a drill string 11 including a rotary rock bit 12 and any required number of drill collars 13. The present suspension drilling device 10 is connected between drill collars 13 and as will become apparent the weight or load on the bit 12 is primarily determined by the number of drill collars connected beneath the suspension drilling device. As illustrated in detail in Figure 2, the present device 10 is comprised of a tubular body including an upper tubular cylinder portion 14, and a lower tubular'member or body 15 threadedly connected therebeneath, a tubular mandrel 16 slidably disposed within said cylinder 14 and body 15 and extending downwardly beneath the latter, together with a sub 17 threadedly connected with the lower end of the mandrel 16. The sub 17 is of a larger diameter than the mandrel 16, and which sub is provided with tapered threads 18 on its lower end for connection with the drill collars 13 and bit 12 therebeneath.

The upper end of the mandrel 16v is enlarged, at 19, for sliding contact with the inner surface of a tubular liner 20 of wear resistant material in the upper tubular cylinder 14, and the upper end of the cylinder 14 is, provided with threads 21 for connection with a drill Collar-13 thereabove. Immediately below the threads 21, the cyla inder 14 i of reduced diameter to provide an inwardly formed shoulder 22, which construction provides. an opening 23 for the passage of drilling fluid therethrough. Im mediately below the shoulder 22 the inside diameter of the cylinder 14 is enlarged to. provide a hydraulic chamber 24 for effecting a shock absorber action to be. referred to in the following description of operation.

The enlarged diameter 19 of the upper end ofthe mandrel 16 is provided with internal buttress threads 25 for. engaging and gripping corresponding threads 26 on the lower end of a piston type seal 27, the diameter of which above the mandrel 16 is in sliding contact with the tubular liner 20. The upper end 28 of the seal 27 is cupped to receive a correspondingly shaped circular cupped re tainer 29. The retainer 29 is held in its described position by means of a coiled compression spring 30 having spring adapters 31, 31a on each endthereof. The upper adapter 31 engages the inwardly formed shoulder 22 of the cylinder 14 whereas the lower adapter 31a bears against the upper, surface of the retainer 29. The opening 23 in the shoulder 22, the diameter of the spring, thev axial opening 2. nd 33 through tubular mandrel 16. and sub 17 are of sufiicient diameters to permit survey and other tools to be lowered therethrough. A predetermined calculated spring load expands the upper end of the resilient seal 27, by constant pressure on the cupped retainer 29, so that an effective seal is maintained even though there is no downward surge of fluid pressure at the time. As the outer surface of the seal 27 wears, the spring load laterally expands the seal and thus in effect causes the seal to replace itself. The upper spring adapter 31 is secured in place by means of a screw 34 in one side of the cylinder 14 and through the inwardly formed shoulder 22, where the inner end of the screw engages a circular groove 35 in the upper part of said retainer. The lower end of the retainer is of reduced diameter, as at 36, to receive the upper end of the spring 30 thereon, and another set screw 37 is secured in the side of the reduced diameter 36 between coils of the spring for securing the latter in place. Similarly, the lower retainer 31a is provided with a reduced diameter, as at 36', for receiving the upper end of the spring 30, and a screw 38 is provided in the referred to reduced diameter between the coils of the spring. Thus, in the event that the cylinder 14 and the body 15 should become separated, the spring 30 may be raised by means of the upper drill string 11 to the earth's surface and thus permit unimpaired fishing of the lower portion of the device.

An improvement in the present invention is the provision of a tubular extension or sleeve 31' integral and concentric with the lower spring adapter 31a. The extension 31' projects downwardly through the cupped retainer 29 and the seal 27 into a shouldered cylindrical enlargement 16' in the upper end of the mandrel 16 where it is a sliding fit. The inside diameter of the extension 31' is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the mandrel, both of which are large enough to pass conventional wire line suspended tools and devices therethrough.

The lower inside diameter of the tubular body 15 is enlarged where the same is provided with vertical rows of integral spaced bosses 39 for engaging corresponding lateral keys 40 integral with and on opposite sides of the mandrel 16. The keys 40 are integrally joined with vertical longitudinal ribs 41 on corresponding sides thereof, and as shown in Figures 2 and 3, these ribs being on the right side of said keys. It is to be noted that in the illustrated form of the invention that there are two keys 40 on each side of the mandrel 16 and that the vertical rib 41 extends thereabove. It is also to be noted that in the illustrated form of the invention there are three bosses 39 in each vertical row, and that there are two keys 41 on each side of the mandrel for coaction therewith, and that the bosses 39 are spaced from the lower end of the tubular body so that the lowermost key 40 may be positioned therebeneath. Also, with reference to the lower end of the tubular body 15, it will be noted that the same is inwardly shouldered, as at 42, to provide sliding contact with the surface of the mandrel 16, and as shown in Figures 2 and 6 there is a circular groove 43 therein for receiving an O-ring seal 44. 7 Relief holes 15' may be provided in the body 15 and at the sides of the bosses 39 for relieving fiuid entrapped between the same, keys 40 and the vertical rib 41. As shown in Figure 5, the holes 15' are located for coaction with the arrangement of keys 40 and rib 41 illustrated in Figure 3, and as shown in Figure the holes are located for the arrangement of keys 40 and rib 41' illustrated in Figure 9.

The shouldered lower end 42 of the body 15 serves as a hammer A for striking the upper end or shoulder of the sub 17, the latter being hereinafter referred to as the anvil B, during certain phases of the operation to be defined. Similarly, but for a different operation, the upper surface of the shoulder 42 serves as a hammer C for striking the lower edges of the two lowermost keys 40 on the mandrel 16, and which key edges are hereinafter referred to as anvil D.

Another, but important detail of construction, is a port 45 in the wall of the tubular body 15 for equalizing pressures inside and outside of the tubular mandrel 16. The port 45 also accommodates fluid displacement within the body 15 during certain phases of the operation.

Operation After the surface pipe has been set, the suspension drilling tool 10 is connected in the drill stem string 11 between drill collars 13 and above the bit 12 as shown in Figure 1. The string 11 is then lowered in the hole with the suspension drilling tool 10 in its extended position until the bit 12 reaches the bottom of the hole. The string 11 is then raised sufficiently to take a reading of the total weight of the drill string assembly, after which the string is again lowered until the bit touches bottom and another reading is taken on the weight indicator for establishing the difference in total weight and the weight of the upper portion of the string above the suspension drilling device. Thus, the difference in weight is the weight or load on the drill bit. If this weight or pressure is not correct the drill string 11 may be removed from the hole and collars 13 added or removed as required. The drill string 11 is picked up off of the bottom and the pumps are started, thus circulating drilling fluid downwardly through the string. After the fluid returns through the bore hole around the string 11, another weight indication is taken to determine the difference between the initial weight and the weight after fluid is circulated. Thus, the actual operating load on the bit 12 is determined, including effective added weight by reason of the piston-like action of the seal 27 within the hydraulic chamber 24. Initially, the suspension drilling device 10 is in its contracted position, after which the brake on the draw works is locked and the drill 11 is totated causing the bit 12 to turn and drill in the bottom of the hole. It is to be understood that during the drilling operation the vertical ribs 41 on the mandrel 16 make sliding contact with the bosses 39 within the body 15 for transmitting torque from the upper drill string to the lower drill string and the bit 12. Continued rotation of the drill string allows the bit 12 to feed into the earth until the mandrel 16 of the device 10 becomes fully extended, at which time the weight indicator at the earths surface registers an increase in weight. The fully extended position of the mandrel 16 is determined by contact of the lower keys 40 with the inwardly formed shoulder 42 in the bottom of the tool body 15. The upper PO17- tion of the drill stem 11 is then lowered until the body 15 contacts the shoulder of the sub 17, and after which the described drilling operation is repeated.

If any part of the drill stem 11 becomes stuck, either while drilling, going into the hole, or coming out, then the device 10 may be used for determining whether the upper length or the lower length of the string is stuck, and for freeing the drill string. If the string cannot be freely raised and lowered, the indication is that the upper portion of the string is stuck above the suspension drilling tool It and conventional methods are required to free the same. On the other hand, if the upper portion of the drill string moves up and down freely within the limits of the stroke of the device, then the indication is that the drill string is stuck below the device. The driller then has the option of using the tool for spudding (working up and down as in cable tool drilling) to free the lower length of drill string, or the use of the device as a delayed action jar. It is pointed out that spudding is not preferred since such operation tends to buckle, corkscrew, dog leg or otherwise damage the expensive drill string.

In delayed jarring, and if coming out of the hole when the string is stuck below the device, the upper length of drill string is turned to the right several turns until considerable torque is applied to the lower length of the string. The upper length of the string is then slowly released, thus releasing the torque and slight resulting momentum of which causes the lower bosses 39 in the body 15 to engage the keys 46 on the mandrel 16, after which the drill string is lowered and thus weighted or loaded, creating potential energy for the jarring operation to follow. The upper string is then rotated to the right, disengaging the bosses 39 from the keys 40, and after which the upper string is suddenly released causing the hammer A on the lower end of the body 15 to strike the anvil B on the upper end of the sub 17. Such operation may be repeated, but during the downward jarring operation it is preferred that the bit 12 is not on the bottom of the hole.

In order to jar upwardly, the upper portion of the string is lowered until the device is in its contracted position and the lower portion of the string is then rotated to the right causing the bosses 39 to slidably engage the vertical ribs 41. The upper string is turned to the right creating a torque in said upper string, after the upper string is then gently released and the slight resulting momentum will cause the upper bosses 39 to engage the keys 40. The upper length of drill string is then raised and stretched a calculated length and while in a raised and stretched position the upper string is again rotated to the right causing the bosses 39 to disengage the keys 40 and cause the hammer C (shoulder 42) to strike the anvil D (lower edge of the keys 40). As before, this operation may be repeated until the lower string is dislodged. It is to be understood that the jarring efrect, either up or down, may be varied by engagement of the keys 40 between the upper and lower bosses 39.

During the drilling operation described in the foregoing, the equalizing ports 45 in the side of the tubular body 15 admit and discharge drilling fluid from the bore hole as the piston-like seal 27 moves up and down. By reason of the diameter of the hydraulic chamber 24 being larger than the diameter of the axial passage 32 through the mandrel 16, a downward piston-like action is imparted to the mandrel and the drill string therebelow. As the drilling fluid is forced under pressure downwardly through the drill string, such force tends to spread the cupped shaped upper end of the seal 27, but it is pointed out that the described arrangement and action of the preloaded spring on the seal creates an effective seal at all times, even when the fluid is not passing therethrough.

An alternate form of the invention An alternate or modified form of the invention in cludes all of the parts described in connection with the suspension drilling tool 10 with the exception of the location of the vertical ribs 41' which are to the left of the keys 40 as viewed in Figure 9 instead of on the right as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. This form of the invention has, for its primary object, the provision of a device which is installed in a drill string and is for furnishmg a readily available jar during drilling, reaming, formation testing, and directional drilling operations. The device is capable of jarring in either direction, and by reason of the seal 27 and its component parts, the de vice may be left in the string without damage to the device 'by reason of the washing action under pressure of abrasive drilling fluids as described in connection with the suspension drilling device 10. Depending upon the type of operation to be performed, drill collars 13 may or may not be employed, and in certain operations, such as reaming, a drill bit, such as 12, may not be used. The device is always looked during drilling and other operations by reason of the described location of the vertical ribs 41' on the left side of the keys 40. As before, if the drill string 11 becomes stuck, it can be determined whether or not the free point is above or below t vice by releasing the torque, thereby releasing the bosses 39 from the keys 40, and attempting to move the drill string up or down. If, while the device is thus unlocked, the drill string moves the length of the stroke of the device, then the free point is above the device. On the other hand, if the drill string does not move freely, then the free point is below the device and conventional methods may be employed for dislodging or retrieving drill string. Where the drill string is stuck below the device, and after the torque has been released, and in order to strike up, the device is contracted by downward movement of the upper drill string until the lower end of the body 15 touches the shoulder on the sub 17, and after which the upper string is rotated to the right to cause the bosses 39 in the body 15 to engage the keys 40 on the mandrel 16. The upper length of the drill string is then stretched a calculated distance, after which torque is applied and released with the result that the bosses 39 disengage the keys 40 and thereby suddenly release the body 15 and cause the hammer C to strike the anvil D for dislodging the stuck pipe or tools. The operation may be repeated as required.

In order to strike down, the upper portion of the string is raised to its extended or partially extended position, as may be desired, and the upper string 11 is again rotated to the right to lock the device and to apply torque as before. A downward pressure is then applied to the upper string and the torque is released, causing the bosses 39 to release the keys 40 and allow the hammer A to strike the anvil B. The operation may be repeated as required to dislodge the lower length of the drill string and tools thereon.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary construction herein shown and described, but may be made in various ways within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a drill string, a tubular body connected at one end thereof with a section of said drill string, a tubular mandrel slidably mounted in said body and extensible therefrom, the extending end of said mandrel being connected with a second section of said drill string, means limiting the longitudinal movement of said mandrel and means limiting rotation of said mandrel within said body, said tubular body providing a hydraulic chamber, a sealing member comprising a cylindrical member of resilient compressible material in said chamber adjacent the upper end of said mandrel, said sealing member having an axial passage therethrough providing communication between the tubular body and the bore of the mandrel, means urging said sealing member into engagement with the upper end of the mandrel and into sealing engagement with the wall of the tubular body, and a sleeve snugly fitting within and extending axially through said sealing member and serving to retain the same against inward distortion.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lower end of the sleeve slidably fits in the upper end of the tubular mandrel.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means urging said sealing member into engagement with the wall of the tubular body comprises a coiled compression spring mounted in the tubular body and arranged to bear against the sealing member and the lower end of the spring is secured to an adapter, and the sleeve projects downwardly from the adapter.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,118,982. Raymond May 31, 1938 2,684,835 Moore July 27, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,125,454 France Oct. 31, 1956 

